WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College softball team has been tabbed sixth according to the New England Collegiate Conference Softball Preseason Poll, it was announced on Wednesday morning. The Pride posted an 8-10 mark in the NECC last season, falling in the NECC First Round.
The Pride returns its top hitter from a season ago in Kara Donovan (Woburn, Mass.). Donovan led Regis with 33 hits on the year, including four doubles and three triples. She also drove in 11 RBI and stole 11 bases for the Pride. All-NECC Second Team selections Samantha Bliss (Framingham, Mass.) returns for her sophomore campaign after hitting .280 in her first season with a double, three triples, and a homerun. Bliss was also a perfect 12-for-12 on steal attempts.
Four-time defending NECC Champion Lesley University was selected as the preseason favorite after grabbing nine of a possible 10 first place votes. Mitchell finished second with 85 points while Elms was picked third with 77 points and one first place vote.
The Pride begin the 2013 campaign this weekend when Regis travels to Fort Myers, Fla. for its annual southern swing of games. They open the Gene Cusic Classic on Sunday, March 2, with a doubleheader against Eastern Nazarene College starting at 9:00 a.m.
2013 NECC Softball Coaches Poll
1. Lesley - 99 (9)
2. Mitchell - 85
3. Elms - 77 (1)
4. Daniel Webster - 66
5. Newbury - 57
6. Regis - 50
7. Bay Path - 40
8. Becker - 36
9. Southern Vt - 25
10. Wheelock - 9